News

Australian Dollar Holds at 9-Week Low
The Australian dollar held around $0.70, staying at a nine-week low as persistent Middle East tensions weighed on global risk sentiment. The US continued to launch strikes on Iran, with President Trump accusing Tehran of delaying talks over an interim peace deal, a day after alleging it had downed a helicopter. The prolonged conflict and the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, continued to disrupt energy flows from the Persian Gulf, raising concerns over inflationary pressures. In Australia, consumer sentiment weakened further in June as inflation and higher fuel costs continued to weigh on household finances. Focus now turns to the Reserve Bank's upcoming policy decision next week, where rates are widely expected to remain unchanged. Governor Bullock reiterated last week that the RBA remains firmly focused on bringing inflation down following three rate hikes earlier this year. Meanwhile, economists have scaled back bets for an August move and now see the rate peaking at 4.35%.
Published on 2026-06-10

Australian Dollar Holds at 9-Week Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.705, remaining at a nine-week low as persistent tensions in the Middle East weighed on global risk sentiment. The conflict intensified after the US launched fresh strikes on Iran, with President Trump accusing Tehran of downing a helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz, casting doubt on an already fragile ceasefire. The escalation drove energy prices higher, fueling inflation concerns and increasing the risk of further central bank rate hikes. In Australia, consumer sentiment weakened further in June as inflation and higher fuel costs continued to pressure household budgets. Focus now will be on the Reserve Bank's upcoming policy decision next week, where rates are widely expected to remain unchanged. Governor Bullock reiterated last week that the RBA remains firmly focused on bringing inflation down, following three rate hikes earlier this year. Meanwhile, economists have scaled back bets for an August move and now see the cash rate peaking at 4.35%.
Published on 2026-06-10

Australian Dollar Stays at 2-Month Low
The Australian dollar rose above $0.705, but stayed at a two-month low as investors assessed easing Middle East tensions while persistent cost-of-living pressures weighed on domestic sentiment. Household confidence deteriorated further into deep pessimism, with the Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index falling about 3% to 80.6 in June, marking the fourth decline this year and among the weakest in decades. Households reported ongoing strain from elevated living costs, while a temporary fuel tax cut offered only limited and short-lived relief. Against this backdrop, investors are turning their attention to the upcoming policy decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia next week, where rates are widely expected to be held steady. Meanwhile, global risk sentiment got a minor lift after Iran and Israel announced a halt in fighting. However, the safe-haven US dollar remained stronger amid uncertainty over a US-Iran peace deal and hawkish Fed bets after a robust US jobs data.
Published on 2026-06-09

Australian Dollar Stays at 2-Month Low
The Australian dollar rose above $0.705, but stayed at a two-month low as investors assessed easing Middle East tensions while persistent cost-of-living pressures weighed on domestic sentiment. Household confidence deteriorated further into deep pessimism, with the Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index falling about 3% to 80.6 in June, marking the fourth decline this year and among the weakest in decades. Households reported ongoing strain from elevated living costs, while a temporary fuel tax cut offered only limited and short-lived relief. Against this backdrop, investors are turning their attention to the upcoming policy decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia next week, where rates are widely expected to be held steady. Meanwhile, global risk sentiment got a minor lift after Iran and Israel announced a halt in fighting. However, the safe-haven US dollar remained stronger amid uncertainty over a US-Iran peace deal and hawkish Fed bets after a robust US jobs data.
Published on 2026-06-09

Australian Dollar Pressured at 2-Month Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.71 after dropping nearly 2% in the previous week to hit a two-month low, pressured by a stronger US dollar. A robust US labor market report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, boosting the greenback more than 1% last week. Rising tensions in the Middle East and a fragile peace deal between the US and Iran also supported the safe-have currency, which further weighed on the risk-sensitive Aussie. Meanwhile, a slightly hawkish tone from the Reserve Bank of Australia could help cushion more losses in the AUD. RBA Governor Michele Bullock reiterated last week that the central bank remains firmly focused on bringing inflation down, following three rate hikes earlier this year that lifted the cash rate to 4.35%. She also noted that inflation remains too elevated, stressing that the board will take whatever measures it deems necessary to fulfill its mandate of achieving price stability and full employment.
Published on 2026-06-08

Australian Dollar Pressured at 2-Month Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.71 after dropping nearly 2% in the previous week to hit a two-month low, pressured by a stronger US dollar. A robust US labor market report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, boosting the greenback more than 1% last week. Rising tensions in the Middle East and a fragile peace deal between the US and Iran also supported the safe-have currency, which also weighed on the risk-sensitive Aussie. Meanwhile, a slightly hawkish tone from the Reserve Bank of Australia could help cushion further losses in the AUD. RBA Governor Michele Bullock reiterated last week that the central bank remains firmly focused on bringing inflation down, following three rate hikes earlier this year that lifted the cash rate to 4.35%. She also noted that inflation remains too elevated, stressing that the board will take whatever measures it deems necessary to fulfill its mandate of achieving price stability and full employment.
Published on 2026-06-08

Australian Dollar Pressured at 2-Month Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.71 after dropping nearly 2% in the previous week to hit a two-month low, pressured by a stronger US dollar. A robust US labor market report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, boosting the greenback more than 1% last week. Rising tensions in the Middle East and a fragile peace deal between the US and Iran also supported the safe-have currency, which further weighed on the risk-sensitive Aussie. Meanwhile, a slightly hawkish tone from the Reserve Bank of Australia could help cushion further losses in the AUD. RBA Governor Michele Bullock reiterated last week that the central bank remains firmly focused on bringing inflation down, following three rate hikes earlier this year that lifted the cash rate to 4.35%. She also noted that inflation remains too elevated, stressing that the board will take whatever measures it deems necessary to fulfill its mandate of achieving price stability and full employment.
Published on 2026-06-08

Australian Dollar Pressured at 2-Month Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.71 after dropping nearly 2% in the previous week to hit a two-month low, pressured by a stronger US dollar. A robust US labor market report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, boosting the greenback more than 1% last week. Rising tensions in the Middle East and a fragile peace deal between the US and Iran also supported the safe-have currency, which further weighed on the risk-sensitive Aussie. Meanwhile, a slightly hawkish tone from the Reserve Bank of Australia could help cushion more losses in the AUD. RBA Governor Michele Bullock reiterated last week that the central bank remains firmly focused on bringing inflation down, following three rate hikes earlier this year that lifted the cash rate to 4.35%. She also noted that inflation remains too elevated, stressing that the board will take whatever measures it deems necessary to fulfill its mandate of achieving price stability and full employment.
Published on 2026-06-08

Australian Dollar Hits 7-week Low
AUDUSD decreased to 0.71, the lowest since April 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Australian Dollar US Dollar lost 2.13%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 9.12%.
Published on 2026-06-05

Aussie Heads for Heavy Weekly Loss
The Australian dollar fell to around $0.711, touching a two-week low and on track for a weekly drop of roughly 1%, as an ongoing stalemate in Middle East tensions weighed on risk appetite, while the Reserve Bank signaled a wait-and-see approach. The central bank has already delivered three hikes this year, and Governor Michele Bullock said the rate increases are starting to filter through the economy. However, she reiterated that inflation remains elevated and policymakers will remain alert to persistent price pressures. Markets expect the RBA to stand pat in June, with about a 50% odds of another hike in August and full pricing for a move by December. Investors now watch any shift in tone as Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser is due to speak later today, although expectations are he will reinforce a steady policy stance. Broader sentiment was further hit by a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, reports of stalled negotiations, and a pullback in AI-linked trades, weighing on the risk-sensitive AUD.
Published on 2026-06-05

Aussie Heads for Heavy Weekly Loss
The Australian dollar slipped to around $0.711, touching a two-week low and on track for a weekly decline of roughly 1%, as an ongoing stalemate in Middle East tensions weighed on risk appetite, while the Reserve Bank signaled a wait-and-see approach. The central bank has already delivered three hikes this year to 4.35%, and Governor Michele Bullock said the rate increases are starting to filter through the economy. However, inflation remains elevated and policymakers remain alert to persistent price pressures. Markets expect the RBA to stand pat in June, with about a 50% chance of another hike in August and full pricing for a move by December. Investors now watch any shift in tone as Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser is due to speak later on Friday, although expectations are he will reinforce a steady policy stance. Broader sentiment was further hit by a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, reports of stalled negotiations, and a pullback in AI-linked trades, weighing on the risk-sensitive Aussie.
Published on 2026-06-05

Aussie Heads for Heavy Weekly Loss
The Australian dollar fell to around $0.711, touching a two-week low and on track for a weekly drop of roughly 1%, as an ongoing stalemate in Middle East tensions weighed on risk appetite, while the Reserve Bank signaled a wait-and-see approach. The central bank has already delivered three hikes this year, and Governor Michele Bullock said the rate increases are starting to filter through the economy. However, she reiterated that inflation remains elevated and policymakers will remain alert to persistent price pressures. Markets expect the RBA to stand pat in June, with about a 50% odds of another hike in August and full pricing for a move by December. Investors now watch any shift in tone as Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser is due to speak later today, although expectations are he will reinforce a steady policy stance. Broader sentiment was further hit by a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, reports of stalled negotiations, and a pullback in AI-linked trades, weighing on the risk-sensitive AUD.
Published on 2026-06-05

Australian Dollar Holds Near 2-Week Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.715, staying near a two-week low as renewed hostilities in the Middle East dampened risk sentiment, while upbeat domestic trade data offered support. Australia's trade position returned to a surplus of AUD 1.79 billion in April from a deficit of AUD 1.02 billion in March, driven by a rebound in iron ore and coal exports, while import growth remained robust. Earlier this week, softer Q1 GDP readings reinforced signs that the Reserve Bank’s three rate hikes this year are cooling demand and helping contain price pressures. However, fresh attacks in the Middle East and near the crucial Strait of Hormuz have kept energy prices elevated, fueling inflation concerns. Investors now await further clues on the policy outlook, with RBA Governor Michele Bullock set to appear before lawmakers later today and Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser scheduled to speak on Friday. Markets have ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August.
Published on 2026-06-04

Australian Dollar Holds Near 2-Week Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.715, staying near a two-week low as renewed hostilities in the Middle East dampened risk sentiment, while upbeat domestic trade data offered support. Australia's trade position returned to a surplus of AUD 1.79 billion in April from a deficit of AUD 1.02 billion in March, as exports climbed to a three-year high, led by stronger shipments of metal ores, while import growth remained modest. Earlier this week, the country's softer Q1 GDP readings reinforced signs that higher interest rates are already cooling demand. The Reserve Bank has raised interest rates three times this year to slow the economy, bringing demand back in line with supply to contain price pressures. However, fresh attacks in the Middle East and near the crucial Strait of Hormuz has kept energy prices elevated, fueling inflation concerns. Markets now have ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August and are pricing a 4.60% peak by year-end.
Published on 2026-06-04

Australian Dollar Holds Near 2-Week Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.715, staying near a two-week low as renewed hostilities in the Middle East dampened risk sentiment, while upbeat domestic trade data offered support. Australia's trade position returned to a surplus of AUD 1.79 billion in April from a deficit of AUD 1.02 billion in March, driven by a rebound in iron ore and coal exports, while import growth remained robust. Earlier this week, softer Q1 GDP readings reinforced signs that the Reserve Bank’s three rate hikes this year are cooling demand to contain price pressures. However, fresh attacks in the Middle East and near the crucial Strait of Hormuz have kept energy prices elevated, fueling inflation concerns. Markets have ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August. Investors now await further clues on the policy outlook, with RBA Governor Michele Bullock set to appear before lawmakers later today and Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser scheduled to speak on Friday.
Published on 2026-06-04

Australian Dollar Holds Near 2-Week Low
The Australian dollar held below $0.715, staying near a two-week low as renewed hostilities in the Middle East dampened risk sentiment, while upbeat domestic trade data offered support. Australia's trade position returned to a surplus of AUD 1.79 billion in April from a deficit of AUD 1.02 billion in March, driven by a rebound in iron ore and coal exports, while import growth remained robust. Earlier this week, softer Q1 GDP readings reinforced signs that the Reserve Bank’s three rate hikes this year are cooling demand and helping contain price pressures. However, fresh attacks in the Middle East and near the crucial Strait of Hormuz have kept energy prices elevated, fueling inflation concerns. Markets have ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August. Investors now await further clues on the policy outlook, with RBA Governor Michele Bullock set to appear before lawmakers later today and Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser scheduled to speak on Friday.
Published on 2026-06-04

Aussie Dollar Falls After Soft GDP Data
The Australian dollar fell to around $0.71, hovering below a recent four-year high as markets weighed the country’s latest GDP figures. The economy grew by just 0.3% in Q1, below expectations of 0.5% and down from 0.9% previously, while annual growth of 2.5% also missed forecasts. The softer readings reinforced signs that higher interest rates are cooling demand, and a key data point policymakers likely to assess ahead of the Reserve Bank’s June 15–16 meeting to determine whether current settings are sufficiently restrictive to bring inflation back to target. The central bank has already hiked rates three times this year in its effort to contain price pressures. This comes against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions linked to the US–Iran conflict, which have pushed up global energy costs and added to external inflation risks. Markets have largely ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August and are nearly fully pricing a 4.60% peak by year-end.
Published on 2026-06-03

Aussie Holds Firm Despite Soft GDP Data
The Australian dollar held above $0.71, trading near three-week highs as markets weighed the country’s latest GDP figures. The economy expanded by just 0.3% in the first quarter, below expectations of 0.5% and slowing from a 0.9% expansion in the previous period. The softer growth reading reinforced signs that higher interest rates are cooling demand, and a key data point policymakers are likely to assess ahead of the Reserve Bank’s June 15–16 meeting to determine whether current settings are sufficiently restrictive to bring inflation back to target. The central bank has already hiked rates three times this year in its effort to contain price pressures. This comes against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions linked to the US–Iran conflict, which have pushed up global energy costs and added to external inflation risks. Markets have largely ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August and are nearly fully pricing a 4.60% peak by year-end.
Published on 2026-06-03

Aussie Holds Firm Despite Soft GDP Data
The Australian dollar held above $0.71, trading near three-week highs as markets weighed the country’s latest GDP figures. The economy grew by just 0.3% in Q1, below expectations of 0.5% and down from 0.9% previously, while annual growth of 2.5% also missed forecasts. The softer growth readings reinforced signs that higher interest rates are cooling demand, and a key data point policymakers are likely to assess ahead of the Reserve Bank’s June 15–16 meeting to determine whether current settings are sufficiently restrictive to bring inflation back to target. The central bank has already hiked rates three times this year in its effort to contain price pressures. This comes against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions linked to the US–Iran conflict, which have pushed up global energy costs and added to external inflation risks. Markets have largely ruled out another rate hike this month, but remain evenly split for a move in August and are nearly fully pricing a 4.60% peak by year-end.
Published on 2026-06-03

Australian Dollar Trades Sideways
The Australian dollar hovered around $0.71, trading in a sideways range as markets awaited developments from Middle East peace talks and a slate of key domestic data releases later in the week. Key releases, including the April trade balance, Q1 current account, and GDP figures, are expected to offer insight into the economy’s underlying momentum and help shape expectations for the Reserve Bank's policy outlook. The central bank has already hiked rates three times this year, and recent misses on employment and inflation have led investors to sharply scale back bets of another June rate increase, now priced at just around a 5% probability. Markets still price in 70% chance of one final move to 4.6% in the last quarter of the year. Meanwhile, global oil prices continued to rise and the safe haven US dollar strengthened, as a US-Iran ceasefire deal remains elusive, tensions in the Middle East stay elevated, and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have shown little progress.
Published on 2026-06-01